Club theme deeper than networking

Nicolette Gestalter (left) and Christina Dixon take in a recent Charlestonian event. The organization has had happy hour gatherings at various Lowcountry locales for the last five years, including area restaurants, bars and art galleries.

If you were to look at pictures of the people at events hosted by local group The Charlestonian, you might notice a common theme — a lot of them are group shots, and many of those people have drink in hand.

But those who have been in it since the beginning want people to know that the organization, now well into its fifth year, is more than a drinking club, deeper than a social gathering.

"There's a charitable aspect that's growing," said Ron Wheet, the first member. The Charlestonian has held several events that have benefited local charities such as MUSC's Children's Hospital.

Still, there's something to be said about the social and professional networking aspect of the group. One of the founding principles was that it served as a way to unwind after a long day at work and to meet others who were doing the same. The name is a play on words, as well, since the first members were transplants to the Lowcountry.

"By now, I think the majority of the people working here in Charleston aren't from here," said founder Scott Key.

They've done everything from Bocci parties to hanging out with the crowd at this year's inaugural Charleston Fashion Week. Wheet describes it as a "roaming happy hour" that meets roughly once a week, usually on Thursdays, at local bars, restaurants, art galleries — any place that's new or hip.

"If a new place opens up, we'll generally have an event there within the first 30 days," Wheet said. "It's a no-brainer to have an event at your place with us. All these places have to do is maybe order some food, and it's very profitable for them."

The group piqued Jennifer Frye's interest when she moved to the Lowcountry several years ago. Hailing from New York City, she was used to hopping from one new hot spot to another. She wanted to make contacts and learn the area.

"It had exactly what I was looking for," she said. "The Charlestonian offers some of the things I liked about Manhattan."

Now she serves as the organization's membership and events coordinator and is trying to beef up the already sizable e-mail list of about 7,000. Participants range from their 20s to their 70s, married, single, professional, all walks of life.

"You get to walk into a place by yourself and there (will) be people that you know," Wheet said.

When Key moved to Charleston nearly a decade ago from Spartanburg, Wheet hired him as a stockbroker at his firm. Wheet said he was used to going to popular spots around his stomping grounds of Annapolis for happy hour, but he didn't find an adequate replacement here where large groups gathered and talked business over a drink or two.

Key expressed the same frustration and finally decided he would try to get an informal group together. The first one was held at Hank's Seafood Restaurant.

"Hank's was the money crowd and you need clients when you're a new stockbroker in town," Key said. He got about 45 there, solely through word of mouth. The next week, the event was at Cypress, and the crowd doubled. "Calling people got to be too much, so I started collecting e-mail addresses," he said. "After a while, that got old, too." He said at its peak, there were 500 people attending events, "but once the newness wore off, the crowds dwindled a little."

Still, there is a viable interest in the group. The Charlestonian sold out the 960 tickets it had for the Al Green concert, and there always seem to be interested people who come just to check it out.

"We've never advertised anywhere, so I guess that has sort of preserved the integrity of the organization ...We're definitely expanding the Charlestonian where it's more than just 'join us on Thursday for happy hour,' " Key said.

Reach Sophia Rodriguez at 937-5538 or srodriguez@postandcourier.com.